Peace Train?
I have, for the longest time, meant to download/buy Cat Stevens "Peace Train". I've been somewhat resistent in the past about succumbing to the flower power type music of the 70's - but I must admit its very soothing, and somewhat comforting ... So, this weekend in a bout of procrastination, I downloaded "Peace Train" (it was legit - ITUNES!) and as usual, scoped out the lyrics. It is now my favorite song.
That introduction to my obsession with lyrics is not baseless ... it really relates to my forthcoming - "summary of news that is important to Z" --
Two Chinese Muslims were mistakenly captured as enemy combatants (in Pakistan - 2001). The appeal to the Supreme Court was an unusual move - lawyers for the detainees asked, in a special appeal, that the Supreme Court release them. The Supreme Court declined to hear it. The federal court has said that their detention at Gitmo is UNLAWFUL, but (and this is the sad part) "there was nothing federal courts could do." The U.S. Military has also decided that these two detainees are NOT ''enemy combatants'' as first suspected. The government refuses to release them unless they can find a country that will accept them, as they will likely be tortured or killed if they return to China.
U.S. to Deport Palestinian that it failed to convict
The rumor mill is running - the Government and Dr. Sami al-Arian are in negotiations to strike a deal. "In exchange for Dr. Al-Arian's plea on one of the lesser charges, the government has agreed to dropall remaining charges and expedite his release and voluntary departure to another country."
I'm torn. Alhamdullilah, this crazy legal battle will end, but at a cost. The burden of fighting a legal battle, especially one where there's such a high personal cost, is that there comes a point where you just can't keep fighting. The stigma of the plea-bargain is terribly harsh, and unfair. The news wires are already buzzing with the misnomer that agreeing to a plea is redemption ... that the prosecution was right all along. The truth of the matter is, while that may be true on occasion, alot of times plea bargains are just the most efficient and least taxing way to get out of the legal web. Is this true justice? Allah hu alim.
[author's note: my criticism is of the justice system, not those that are forced to succumb to it. Dr. Al-Arian and his family have fought with great perseverence through this ordeal. They deserve to be a family again, and live in peace.]
Its stories like this that bring out the skeptic in me. The current topic of conversation in Constitutional Law (the 8.45am class -aargh), and I suppose the underlying thread, has been the balancing of powes and the clashes that result. The lines are so fuzzy, can I ever hope to be able to make any kind of difference with a JD? Will good results be overturned by forceful legislation - driven by money and clout? Or alternatively, by Executive power? I still believe that I'm doing the right thing - but I also recognize that its a tough battle ahead - too many moving parts. It just annoys me that innocent people often pay the price for ignorance, overzealousness and arrogance. And that classification crosses political, ethnic and religious lines. And no, I can't be less ambiguous - I'm in law school for heaven's sake!
Ok, I'm not completely skeptical - I can't afford to be! I've got some really awesome "colleagues" in the field** ... (to name a few currently in the news Amnarani and Aly) that aren't gonna let a little misjustice/misinformation stop them.
The scales of justice can sometimes be unfairly weighed down on the wrong side. And sometimes justice isn't blind. And sometimes it isn't justice at all. But Cat Stevens brings it all back, and gives me hope ...
Watch out world. Here we come.
* the actual mechanics of the bargain and the actual plea are not public yet; they are pending approval w/the Federal Court in Tampa. This is a pretty legit rumor.
**Field is not limited to the field of law, but I'm blessed nonetheless that I've got awesome company in the law.
That introduction to my obsession with lyrics is not baseless ... it really relates to my forthcoming - "summary of news that is important to Z" --
Now I've been crying lately, thinking about the world as it isSupreme Court rejects Gitmo Detainees Appeal
Why must we go on hating, why can't we live in bliss
- Peace Train
Two Chinese Muslims were mistakenly captured as enemy combatants (in Pakistan - 2001). The appeal to the Supreme Court was an unusual move - lawyers for the detainees asked, in a special appeal, that the Supreme Court release them. The Supreme Court declined to hear it. The federal court has said that their detention at Gitmo is UNLAWFUL, but (and this is the sad part) "there was nothing federal courts could do." The U.S. Military has also decided that these two detainees are NOT ''enemy combatants'' as first suspected. The government refuses to release them unless they can find a country that will accept them, as they will likely be tortured or killed if they return to China.
U.S. to Deport Palestinian that it failed to convict
The rumor mill is running - the Government and Dr. Sami al-Arian are in negotiations to strike a deal. "In exchange for Dr. Al-Arian's plea on one of the lesser charges, the government has agreed to dropall remaining charges and expedite his release and voluntary departure to another country."
I'm torn. Alhamdullilah, this crazy legal battle will end, but at a cost. The burden of fighting a legal battle, especially one where there's such a high personal cost, is that there comes a point where you just can't keep fighting. The stigma of the plea-bargain is terribly harsh, and unfair. The news wires are already buzzing with the misnomer that agreeing to a plea is redemption ... that the prosecution was right all along. The truth of the matter is, while that may be true on occasion, alot of times plea bargains are just the most efficient and least taxing way to get out of the legal web. Is this true justice? Allah hu alim.
[author's note: my criticism is of the justice system, not those that are forced to succumb to it. Dr. Al-Arian and his family have fought with great perseverence through this ordeal. They deserve to be a family again, and live in peace.]
Its stories like this that bring out the skeptic in me. The current topic of conversation in Constitutional Law (the 8.45am class -aargh), and I suppose the underlying thread, has been the balancing of powes and the clashes that result. The lines are so fuzzy, can I ever hope to be able to make any kind of difference with a JD? Will good results be overturned by forceful legislation - driven by money and clout? Or alternatively, by Executive power? I still believe that I'm doing the right thing - but I also recognize that its a tough battle ahead - too many moving parts. It just annoys me that innocent people often pay the price for ignorance, overzealousness and arrogance. And that classification crosses political, ethnic and religious lines. And no, I can't be less ambiguous - I'm in law school for heaven's sake!
Ok, I'm not completely skeptical - I can't afford to be! I've got some really awesome "colleagues" in the field** ... (to name a few currently in the news Amnarani and Aly) that aren't gonna let a little misjustice/misinformation stop them.
The scales of justice can sometimes be unfairly weighed down on the wrong side. And sometimes justice isn't blind. And sometimes it isn't justice at all. But Cat Stevens brings it all back, and gives me hope ...
Now I've been smiling lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun
- Peace Train
Watch out world. Here we come.
* the actual mechanics of the bargain and the actual plea are not public yet; they are pending approval w/the Federal Court in Tampa. This is a pretty legit rumor.
**Field is not limited to the field of law, but I'm blessed nonetheless that I've got awesome company in the law.
Labels: Following Al Arian
posted by zai5h at Monday, April 17, 2006
2 Comments:
ah, like usual an amazing post mA! have you ever seen the move "the hurricane," regarding the shady conviction of boxer reuben carter? i got obsessed w/ bob dylan's song by the same name after that -- all about unjust imprisonment in the US. download it too ;)
move = movie!
Post a Comment
<< Home